Electromagnetic energy output system

Abstract

An apparatus having an excitation source that includes at least one laser diode and also having a handpiece with a disposable, bendable tip cannula is disclosed.

1. An apparatus, comprising:
 an excitation source comprising at least one laser diode within a system; and 
 a handpiece comprising (a) disposable, bendable tip cannula, (b) an output fiberoptic operatively coupled to the excitation source and extending at least partially through the bendable tip cannula, the output fiberoptic having a proximal end aligned to receive electromagnetic energy from the excitation source and a distal end adapted to emit the electromagnetic energy away from the handpiece, and (c) a region having a position in a vicinity of the proximal end, an opacity that is less than that of the bendable tip cannula, and a construction that causes the region to glow when the output fiberoptic emits the electromagnetic radiation from the distal end. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the excitation source is a laser module within the system. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the excitation source is directly coupled to a trunk optical fiber, and the trunk optical fiber is permanently coupled to the system. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the system is a diode laser system, and the excitation source is directly and permanently coupled to a trunk optical fiber. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the system is a diode laser system, the excitation source is a laser module within the system that is directly coupled to a trunk optical fiber, and the trunk optical fiber extends continuously and without interruption, interface, or coupling from a permanent connection at the laser module all of the way to the handpiece. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein (a), (b) and (c) form a disposable output tip that is removably connected at a distal end of the handpiece, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a trunk optical fiber that extends continuously and without interruption, interface, or coupling from a permanent connection at the excitation source all of the way to, and through at least a part of, the handpiece. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein (a), (b) and (c) form a disposable output tip that is removably connected at a distal end of the handpiece, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a trunk optical fiber that extends continuously and without interruption, interface, or coupling from a permanent connection at the excitation source all of the way to the handpiece and through substantially all of the handpiece, and terminates at the distal end of the handpiece. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to output laser energy having a wavelength of about 915 microseconds, about 940 microseconds, about 960 microseconds, or about 980 microseconds, and wherein the apparatus is configured to output the laser energy in a continuous wave or quasi-continuous wave mode. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus as set forth in any one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein the apparatus is configured to output pulsed laser energy with a pulse duration and a pulse interval that are both on the order of microseconds. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus as set forth in any one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein the apparatus is configured to output pulsed laser energy with a pulse duration of about 50 microseconds or less and a pulse interval of about 450 microseconds or more. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus as set forth in any one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein:
 the apparatus is configured to output pulsed laser energy with an independently adjustable pulse duration that can be adjusted independently of the pulse interval. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus as set forth in any one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein:
 the apparatus is configured to output pulsed laser energy with an independently adjustable pulse interval that can be adjusted independently of the pulse duration. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus as set forth in any one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein:
 the pulse duration may be varied by a user without varying the pulse interval and wherein the pulse interval may be varied by a user without varying the pulse duration. 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus as set forth in any one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein:
 the pulse duration may be varied by a user to a greater or lesser degree than a varying the pulse interval and wherein the pulse interval may be varied by a user to a greater or lesser degree than a varying the pulse duration. 
 
     
     
       15. The apparatus as set forth in any one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein the proximal end of the output fiberoptic is at least partially surrounded by the region. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus as set forth in any one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein the bendable tip cannula is constructed not to glow when the output fiberoptic emits the electromagnetic radiation from the distal end. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus as set forth in any one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein the region is a ferrule. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus as set forth in any one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein the excitation source is configured to output an aiming beam and the region is a ferrule that glows with a color of the aiming beam. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus as set forth in any one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein the ferrule has a clear transparency. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus as set forth in any one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein the ferrule has a transparency with a slight hue of one or more colors.